Academic literature on the topic 'Proventriculus'

Este estudo retrospectivo revisa os achados radiográficos em exames simples e contrastados de 38 aves psittaciformes com alterações no proventrículo. Os dados foram obtidos do Serviço de Diagnóstico por imagem do departamento de cirurgia junto ao Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, durante o período de janeiro de 2004 a abril de 2012. A distribuição das alterações, assim como as suas respectivas espécies e idades, foram estudadas. O sexo das aves não foi considerado neste estudo. A espécie Amazona aestiva (papagaio-verdadeiro) alcançou a porcentagem mais elevada (44,8%) entre as diversas ordens, seguidos pelos Nymphicus hollandicus (Calopsita) (28,9%). Neste período de oito anos, os sintomas mais comuns observados na anamnese foram a \"apatia/prostração\" e \"anorexia/prostração\" (52,63% cada). Entre as suspeitas clínicas mais frequentes, a doença da dilatação do proventrículo (PDD) foi a mais citada (26,32%). O achado radiográfico mais frequentemente observado foi a \"dilatação do proventrículo por conteúdo de radiodensidade gás e líquido\" (34,21%). A medição do proventrículo foi um dado descrito em 34,84% dos laudos. Dentre as aves estudadas com alterações radiográficas em proventrículo, o exame radiográfico contrastado por sulfato de bário foi solicitado em 26,32% dos casos, onde o achado radiográfico mais comum foi a \"retenção do meio de contraste ou evolução lenta do mesmo\". Dentre os casos com suspeita clínica de PDD, os únicos nos quais foi possível obter confirmação foram aqueles em que foi solicitado o exame contrastado. Algumas aves também exibiram alterações radiográficas inespecíficas. A dilatação de proventrículo em si não é patognomônica para PDD, visto que esta pode vir de forma atípica e que há diversas outras doenças que causam alterações semelhantes.<br>This retrospective study examines radiographic findings of plain and contrastenhanced examinations of 38 psittacine birds presenting proventricular abnormalities. The data were obtained by the Image Diagnostic Service of the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo between January 2004 and April 2012. The distribution of the abnormalities, as well as the birds species and ages, were also investigated. The birds sex was not taken into account. The highest percentage among the different orders (44.8%) was observed among specimens of Amazona aestiva (Blue-fronted Parrot), followed by Nymphicus hollandicus (Cockatiel) (28.9%). In the eight-year period of the study, the most common symptoms were \"apathy/weakness\" and \"anorexia/weakness\" (52.63% each.) Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) was the most frequent clinical suspicion (26.32%.) The most commonly observed radiographic abnormality was a \"Proventricular dilatation caused by content of gas and water radiodensity\" (34.21%.) The measurements of the proventriculus were described in 34.84% of all reports. Among the birds studied with radiographic alterations in proventriculus, radiographic examination contrasted by barium sulfate was required in 26.32% of cases. The most common findings were \"retention or slow transit of the contrast agent\". The only cases with a clinical suspicion of PDD for which it was possible to obtain a confirmation were those for which a contrast-enhanced examination was ordered. Some birds also presented radiographic abnormalities of uncertain diagnosis. A proventricular dilatation in itself is not pathognomonic of PDD inasmuch as said disease may present in an atypical manner and several other diseases may cause similar abnormalities.

La proventriculitis viral transmissible (TVP) és una malaltia infecciosa viral emergent que afecta principalment a les gallines de graella. Es caracteritza per una digestió de l’alimentació deficient, un creixement deficient i una taxa de conversió de l’alimentació deficient, causant pèrdues econòmiques a la indústria avícola. En casos de TVP s’observa l’ampliació, engrossiment, fragilitat i pal·lidesa del proventriculus, juntament amb debilitat i dilatació de l’istme gàstric. Tot i que les lesions greus proventriculars poden ser indicatives de TVP, no són específiques. La malaltia es caracteritza per les seves lesions histològiques: necrosi de cèl·lules oxinticopèptiques, inflamació amb predomini de limfòcits i substitució de l’epiteli glandular per epiteli ductal hiperplàsic. Per tant, l’objectiu principal d’aquesta tesi era determinar la presència de la malaltia i del nou agent viral a les granges avícoles espanyoles i caracteritzar encara més aquest agent viral mitjançant estudis ultraestructurals i tècniques de seqüenciació de propera generació. En el primer estudi, la presència de CPNV en casos clínics de TVP de granges avícoles espanyoles es va avaluar retrospectivament del 1999 al 2019 en teixit proventricular FFPE. L’examen histopatològic, la RT-PCR de CPNV i el genoma de seqüència parcial de casos positius obtinguts mitjançant la seqüència de Sanger es va dur a terme en 42 casos clínics. A més, es va configurar una nova tècnica ISH com a nou mètode per detectar el virus. L’estudi va identificar la presència de CPNV a les granges de pollastres espanyoles des de 1999 com a mínim. A més, deu proventriculi de set casos clínics diferents van ser positius per a CPNV RT-PCR i ISH, i tots ells van mostrar els trets histopatològics característics de TVP (necrosi de l’oxinticopèptic inflamació intersticial de les cèl·lules i de les glàndules). Els estudis filogenètics van demostrar que les seqüències parcials de CPNV espanyoles estaven molt relacionades amb les seqüències CPNV disponibles del Regne Unit i els EUA. El segon estudi d’aquesta tesi tenia com a objectiu identificar, visualitzar i localitzar l’agent causant de TVP mitjançant l’ús de TEM. Es van utilitzar mostres proventriculars de dotze casos clínics diferents. Vuit de les mostres van ser positives per RT-PCR i ISH a CPNV, mentre que les altres tres, tot i que presentaven una lesió brut i microscòpica coherent amb TVP, van ser negatives per a CPNV ISH i RT-PCR. Es van observar virus icosaèdrics de 70 nm, no embolcallats, intranuclears i / o intracitoplasmàtics en quatre mostres. Dues d’aquestes mostres van ser negatives per al CPNV mitjançant mètodes moleculars, mentre que les altres dues van donar resultats positius a les tècniques de RT-PCR i ISH CPNV. Aquests resultats, juntament amb la troballa de virions als nuclis de les cèl·lules infecetd, una troballa que no es sol veure en els virus d’ARN, van plantejar la qüestió de si TVP també podria ser causada per un altre agent viral simultàniament o sense la contribució de CPNV. Per entendre encara més aquesta última hipòtesi, es va fer un tercer estudi per caracteritzar encara més el genoma dels virus implicats en els casos de TVP. Es van estudiar vuit mostres de proventriculi de TVP per NGS i es van trobar seqüències parcials o completes del segment B de CPNV en tots ells, confirmant la implicació d’aquest virus en casos clínics de TVP. No obstant això, en cinc dels casos, es van trobar seqüències parcials d’adenovirus A aviari, en particular els dos casos en què s’havien observat virions intranuclears per TEM. Aquests resultats confirmen la hipòtesi que l’adenovirus A aviari pot estar present en casos clínics de TVP, tot i que el seu paper en el desenvolupament de la malaltia necessita estudis addicionals.<br>La proventriculitis viral transmisible (TVP) es una enfermedad infecciosa viral emergente que afecta principalmente a los pollos de engorde. Se caracteriza por una digestión deficiente de los alimentos, un crecimiento deficiente y una tasa de conversión de alimentos deficiente, lo que provoca pérdidas económicas para la industria avícola. En los casos de TVP se observa agrandamiento, engrosamiento, fragilidad y palidez del proventrículo, junto con debilidad y dilatación del istmo gástrico. Aunque las lesiones macroscópicas proventriculares podrían ser indicativas de TVP, no son específicas. La enfermedad se caracteriza por sus lesiones histológicas: necrosis de células oxinticopépticas, inflamación con predominio de linfocitos y sustitución del epitelio glandular por epitelio ductal hiperplásico. Por tanto, el objetivo principal de esta tesis fue determinar la presencia de la enfermedad y el nuevo agente viral en las granjas avícolas españolas y caracterizar este agente viral mediante estudios ultraestructurales y técnicas de secuenciación de última generación. En el primer estudio, se evaluó retrospectivamente la presencia de CPNV en casos clínicos de TVP de granjas avícolas españolas desde 1999 hasta 2019 en tejido proventricular FFPE. En 42 casos clínicos se realizó examen histopatológico, CPNV RT-PCR y secuencia parcial del genoma de casos positivos obtenidos mediante secuencia de Sanger. Además, se estableció una nueva técnica de ISH como un nuevo método para detectar el virus. El estudio identificó la presencia de CPNV en las granjas avícolas españolas desde al menos 1999. Además, diez proventrículos de siete casos clínicos diferentes fueron positivos a CPNV RT-PCR e ISH, y todos mostraron los rasgos histopatológicos característicos de TVP (necrosis de oxinticopeptic células e inflamación intersticial de la glándula). Los estudios filogenéticos mostraron que las secuencias parciales de CPNV españolas estaban muy relacionadas con las secuencias de CPNV disponibles en Reino Unido y EE. UU. El segundo estudio de esta tesis tuvo como objetivo identificar, visualizar y localizar el agente causante de TVP mediante el uso de TEM. Se utilizaron muestras proventriculares de doce casos clínicos diferentes. Ocho de las muestras fueron positivas por RT-PCR e ISH a CPNV, mientras que las otras tres, aunque mostraron lesiones macroscópicas y microscópicas compatibles con TVP, fueron negativas a CPNV ISH y RT-PCR. Se observaron virus icosaédricos, de 70 nm, no envueltos, intranucleares y / o intracitoplasma en cuatro muestras. Dos de estas muestras dieron negativo a CPNV por métodos moleculares, mientras que las otras dos dieron resultados positivos a las técnicas de RT-PCR e ISH CPNV. Estos resultados, junto con el hallazgo de viriones en los núcleos de las células infecciosas, un hallazgo que no suele observarse en los virus de ARN, plantearon la cuestión de si la TVP también podría ser causada por otro agente viral simultáneamente o sin la contribución del CPNV. Para comprender aún más esta última hipótesis, se realizó un tercer estudio para caracterizar aún más el genoma de los virus involucrados en los casos de TVP. Se estudiaron por NGS ocho muestras de proventrículos de TVP y en todas se encontraron secuencias parciales o completas del Segmento B de CPNV, confirmando además la participación de este virus en casos clínicos de TVP. Sin embargo, en cinco de los casos, se encontraron secuencias parciales de adenovirus aviar A, en particular los dos casos en los que se habían observado viriones intranucleares mediante TEM. Estos resultados confirman la hipótesis de que el adenovirus A aviar puede estar presente en casos clínicos de TVP, aunque su papel en el desarrollo de la enfermedad requiere más estudios.<br>Transmissible Viral Proventriculitis (TVP) is an emergent viral infectious disease that affects mainly broiler chickens. It is characterized by impaired feed digestion, poor growth, and poor feed conversion rate, causing economic losses to the poultry industry. Enlargement, thickening, fragility, and paleness of the proventriculus, together with weakness and dilation of gastric isthmus is observed in TVP cases. Although proventricular gross lesions could be indicative of TVP, they are not specific. The disease is characterized by its histologic lesions: necrosis of oxynticopeptic cells, inflammation with a predominance of lymphocytes, and replacement of glandular epithelium by hyperplasic ductal epithelium. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis was to determine the presence of the disease and the new viral agent in Spanish poultry farms and further characterize this viral agent by ultrastructural studies and next generation sequencing techniques. In the first study, the presence of CPNV in TVP clinical cases from Spanish poultry farms was retrospectively evaluated from 1999 to 2019 in FFPE proventricular tissue. Histopathological examination, CPNV RT-PCR, and partial sequence genome of positive cases obtained using Sanger sequence was carried out in 42 clinical cases. In adition, a new ISH technique was set up as a new method to detect the virus. The study identified the presence of CPNV in Spanish chicken farms since at least 1999. Moreover, ten proventriculi from seven different clinical cases were positive to CPNV RT-PCR and ISH, and all of them showed the characteristic histopathological features of TVP (necrosis of oxynticopeptic cells and gland interstitial inflammation). Phylogenetic studies showed that the Spanish CPNV partial sequences were very closely related to the available UK and USA CPNV sequences. The second study of this thesis aimed to identify, visualize, and localize the causative agent of TVP by using TEM. Proventricular samples from twelve different clinical cases were used. Eight of the samples were positive by RT-PCR and ISH to CPNV, while the other three, although showing gross and microscopic lesiosn consistent with TVP, were negative to CPNV ISH and RT-PCR. Icosahedral, 70 nm, non-enveloped, intranuclear and/or intracytoplasm viruses were observed in four samples. Two of these samples were negative to CPNV by molecular methods, while the other two gave positive results to RT-PCR and ISH CPNV techniques. These results, together with the finding of virions in the nuclei of infecetd cells, a finding which is not usually seen in RNA viruses, raised the question whether TVP could also be caused by another viral agent simultaneoulsy or without the contribution fo CPNV. To further undesrtand this last hypothesis, a third study was done to further characterize the genome of the virus/es involved in the TVP cases. Eight TVP proventriculi samples were studied by NGS and partial or complete sequences of CPNV Segment B were found in all of them, furter confirming the involvement of this virus in TVP clinical cases. However, in five of the cases, partial sequences of Avian adenovirus A were found, particularly the two cases where intranuclear virions had been observed by TEM. These results confirm the hypothesis that Avian adenovirus A can be present in TVP clinical cases, although its role in the development of the disease needs further studies.<br>Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Programa de Doctorat en Medicina i Sanitat Animals

Background: Syllids are a species rich annelid family possessing remarkable regenerative ability, which is not only the response after traumatic injury, but also a key step during the life cycle of several syllid taxa. In these animals the posterior part of the body becomes an epitoke and is later detached as a distinct unit named stolon. Such a sexual reproductive mode is named schizogamy or stolonization. The prostomium and the proventricle, a modified foregut structure, have been proposed to have a control function during this process, though the concrete mechanisms behind it have never been elucidated. Results: By using different experimental set-ups, histology and immunohistochemistry combined with subsequent cLSM analyzes, we investigate and document the regeneration and stolonization in specimens of Typosyllis antoni that were amputated at different levels throughout the antero-posterior body axis. The removal of the anterior end including the proventricle implies an incomplete anterior regeneration as well as severe deviations from the usual reproductive pattern, i.e. accelerated stolonization, masculinization and the occurrence of aberrant stolons. The detailed anatomy of aberrant stolons is described. A histological study of the proventricle revealed no signs of glandular or secretory structures. The ventricle and the caeca are composed of glandular tissue but they are not involved in the reproductive and regenerative processes. Conclusions: As in other investigated syllids, the proventricle region has a significant role during stolonization and reproduction processes in Typosyllis antoni. When the proventricle region is absent, anterior and posterior regeneration are considerably deviated from the general patterns. However, proventricle ultrastructure does not show any glandular component, thereby questioning a direct involvement of this organ itself in the control of reproduction and regeneration. Our findings offer a comprehensive starting point for further studies of regeneration and reproductive control in syllids as well as annelids in general.

Soils represent an essential habitat for a wide diversity of invertebrates. Among these organisms, termites are considered ecosystem engineers for their impact on nutrient cycling and soil functioning, stemming from their wide feeding habits. For instance, soil/litter-feeding termites are one of the groups that incorporate the most organic matter from the soil. Thus, the high abundance and diversity of this group of termites does not only indicate its ecological success, but also its high value for the ecosystem. TheApicotermitinae subfamily (family Termitidae) is a highly diverse group of soil-feeding termites widespread in Afro- and Neotropical regions. However, due to taxonomic difficulties in soldierless groups and poor sampling of species living deep in the soil, it is also one of the most understudied subfamilies. In this thesis, I addressed phylogenetic, anatomical, and ecological aspects of the Apicotermitinae, with the ultimate goal of explaining their high diversity and ecological success. In the first axis, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Apicotermitinae species by using de novo mitochondrial genomes. African taxa with soldiers form several basal branches. We confirmed the monophyly of Asian and neotropical lineages, resulting from two independent dispersal events from tropical Africa, and established the relationships of the main lineages in the subfamily. The relationships among and within some genera remain unresolved, probably revealing an explosive radiation. Some genera appear as polyphyletic, showing the need for further taxonomic revision. In the second axis, we described for the first time in detail the anatomical structures of the gizzard. Thepulvillar belt bears a highly diverse, sclerotized and autofluorescent structures. These structures and the ornamentation patterns remain limited to African species since the Neotropical species do not present such specialized structures. Consequently, these ornamentations are proposed as a new complementary taxonomic tool, which can prove useful in the future revisions of genera with phylogenetic incongruences. In the third axis, we characterized the content of crop-gizzard and inferred the isotopic niche of species. Slight variations in the food content suggested that Apicotermitinae can be considered as a single feeding group, with mineralized soil as a primary source. Variations in the crop-gizzard volume can be related to food-collecting behavior. The neotropical species exhibited the broadest isotopic spaces, indicating flexibility to explore large organic matter humification gradients. The broad overlap of isotopic niches and co-occurrence with other termites suggests that this group could be affected by spatial segregation. Finally, in an evolutionary context, it was inferred that the Neotropical soldierless taxa underwent an explosive radiation during the early-middle Miocene. While the reduction of sclerotized structures in the gizzard is associated with the dispersal towards the Neotropics, the African soldierless species developed a pulvillar armature. All of these results provide an overview of the understanding of Apicotermitinae and open up new perspectives on the evolutionary and functional aspects of associations in favor of diet as an agent of their success.<br>Les sols représentent un habitat essentiel pour une grande diversité d'invertébrés. Parmi ceux-ci, les termitessont considérés comme des ingénieurs de l'écosystème, pour leur impact sur le cycle des nutriments ainsique sur le fonctionnement du sol. Ce rôle écologique majeur est du fait entre autres de la grande diversitéde leur régime alimentaire. Les termites qui se nourrissent de sol et/ou de litière constituent l'un des groupesqui incorpore le plus de matière organique depuis le sol. Ainsi, l'abondance et la diversité élevées de cegroupe de termites indiquent non seulement leur succès écologique, mais aussi leur forte valeur pour lesécosystèmes. La sous-famille des Apicotermitinae (Termitidae) constitue un groupe de termites humivorestrès abondant et diversifié dans les régions afrotropicale et néotropicale. Cette sous-famille est pourtant peuétudiée, du fait des difficultés taxonomiques rencontrées pour les termites sans soldats, mais aussi desdifficultés d’échantillonnage associées aux espèces propres aux sols plus profonds. Le présent travail dethèse se veut être une étude de la diversité des Apicotermitinae selon trois axes, à savoir phylogénétique,anatomique et écologique, dans le but d'expliquer les tenants et aboutissants de la grande diversité desApicotermitinae, ainsi que les raisons de leur succès écologique.Dans le premier axe de la thèse, nous avons étudié les relations phylogénétiques entres les différentesespèces d’Apicotermitinae à l’aide de génome mitochondriaux assemblé de novo. Les taxa africains avecsoldats forment plusieurs branches basales. Nous avons confirmé la monophylie des lignées asiatique etnéotropicale, qui résultent de deux colonisations indépendantes au départ de l'Afrique, et établi les relationsentre les principales lignées de la sous-famille. Les relations, entre ou au sein, de certains genres sont malrésolues et correspondraient à une explosion radiative. Plusieurs genres apparaissent commepolyphylétiques, montrant le besoin d’une révision taxonomique future.Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, nous avons décrit pour la première fois en détail les différentesstructures anatomiques du gésier. La ceinture pulvillaire porte des structures très diverses, sclérifiées etauto-fluorescentes. Ces ornementations sont proposées comme un nouvel outil taxonomiquecomplémentaire, qui serait utile pour les révisions requises dans les genres problématiques susmentionnés.Ces structures et les motifs d'ornementation restent toutefois limités aux espèces africaines, les espècesnéotropicales ne présentant pas de structures spécialisées.Concernant le troisième axe de la thèse, nous avons caractérisé le contenu du jabot-gésier et estimé la nicheisotopique de différentes espèces. Les légères variations du contenu suggèrent que les Apicotermitinaepartagent sensiblement le même régime alimentaire, en ingérant une quantité importante de sol minéralisé.Les variations du volume du jabot-gésier peuvent être liées au comportement de collecte des aliments. Lesespèces néotropicales montrent une étendue des niches isotopiques plus large, ce qui indique la possibilitéd'exploiter plusieurs niveaux d’humification de la matière organique. Le large chevauchement des nichesisotopiques et la co-occurrence avec d'autres termites suggèrent que les espèces de ce groupe tendraient àse ségréger spatialement.Enfin, dans un contexte évolutif, il a été estimé que le groupe des espèces néotropicales sans soldats a subiune explosion radiative au début du Miocène moyen. Alors que la réduction des structures fortementsclérifiées dans le gésier est associée à la dispersion vers les Néo-tropiques, les espèces africaines sanssoldats ont développé une armature pulvillaire. L'ensemble de ces résultats donne un aperçu de lacompréhension des Apicotermitinae et ouvre de nouvelles perspectives quant à des aspects évolutifs etfonctionnels des associations en faveur du régime alimentaire en tant qu'agent de leur succès.<br>Doctorat en Sciences<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

PDD is a progressive disease often fatal, that occurs in several parrot species but a common susceptibility of all parrots is suspected. It also may occur in non psittacine bird like, gooses, hawks, doves tucans and flamingos. The ill birds develop gastrointestinal or central nervous system signs. These presentation can be occur like a combination of both or alone. The clinical signs are caused by histological nervous lesions, characterized by a non suppurative encephalomyelitis and/or perineural lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates around peripheral nerves. The intramural neural plexa of digestive tract were constanctly involved. The diagnosis is characterized by inconsistent clinical laboratory findings. A presumptive diagnosis of PDD is often based on anamnestic information, contrast radiographs, fluoroscopy in PDD suspect birds. Until now the only specific and reliable method used for the diagnosis is the crop biopsy. The presence of characteristic histological perineural infiltrates are strongly suggestive of the disease and necessary for a definitive diagnosis. Until now the etiology and the pathogenesis are unclear, even if, many Authors suppose the potential role of unclear virus as the causative agent of PDD. The different aspects of this disease show a lot of analogies with the human Guillain Barre' syndrome, so we have focalised the our study to clarify the pathogenesis. To do this, we investigated if the PDD can be an autoimmune disease and if a possible presence of the blood antiganglioside antibodies can be the starter of this autoimmune pathological mechanism, like was observed in more than 50% of the GBS's cases.

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária<br>A Doença de Dilatação do Proventrículo (DDP) foi inicialmente descrita na década de 1970 nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e na Europa. Trata-se de uma doença fatal, que atinge mais de 50 espécies diferentes de aves domésticas e silvestres por todo o mundo. Esta doença é caracterizada por infiltrações linfo-plasmocíticas dos gânglios do sistema nervoso central e periférico, originando alterações neurológicas e/ou disfunções do aparelho digestivo. A epidemiologia desta doença, associada ao facto de um vírus desconhecido com envelope ter sido frequentemente observado, em tecidos e/ou fezes de animais doentes, sugere uma etiologia viral. Recentemente o Bornavirus Aviário, um novo género da família Bornaviridae, foi relacionado com psitacídeos afectados com DDP. Neste estudo, relatamos doze casos observados na Catalunha, Espanha. Descrevemos os sinais clínicos, os resultados de exames complementares de diagnóstico, as necrópsias e os exames histopatológicos realizados. Um dos obstáculos com que nos deparámos foi a dificuldade de diagnóstico em vida e pós-mortem, apenas um dos doze animais foi diagnosticado com DDP antes de morrer e quatro após a necrópsia. No entanto os restantes sete casos apresentavam sintomatologia compatível assim como relação temporal e geográfica com as aves positivas. Assim, pensamos que será importante, na actualidade, desenvolver métodos menos invasivos de diagnóstico baseados na biologia molecular para a detecção de Bornavirus Aviário e de testes serológicos como alternativa aos métodos histopatológicos. No futuro deverão ser desenvolvidos em Portugal estudos epidemiológicos sobre DDP, envolvendo os médicos veterinários, proprietários, a comunidade científica e entidades oficiais com objectivo de avaliar os possíveis impactos económicos na avicultura e na protecção da avifauna Portuguesa.<br>ABSTRACT - PROVENTRICULAR DILATATION DISEASE: A BORNAVIROSIS - Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) was first described in the 1970’s in the USA and was also reported in Europe. Is a fatal disorder identified in over 50 different domesticated and wild birds species worldwide. The disease is characterized by lymphoplasmocytic infiltration of the ganglia of the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to central nervous system disorders and/or enteric motility disfunction. The epidemiology of the disease, along with the fact that an unknown virus with an envelope was frequently observed in affected tissues and/or feces of diseased birds, suggests a viral etiology. Recently Avian Bornavirus, representing a new genus within the family Bornaviridae, was related with PDD positive psittacine birds. This study reports twelve cases seen in Catalunya, Spain. Clinical signs, complementary diagnosis exams results, necropsy and histopathological findings are described. We found it very dificult to achive the final diagnosis in alive birds and at post-mortem, only one animal was diagnosed with PDD before dying and four after necropsy. However, the remaining seven cases showed compatible signs as well as temporal and geografic relation with the positive birds. Therefore it is important to develop new diagnostic methods based on molecular biological detection of Bornavirus, as well as serological tests as viable alternatives to invasive and postmortem histopathological diagnosis. Future studies on the epidemiology of PDD must be implemented in Portugal, combining efforts of private veterinarians, owners, scientifical community and Government authorities to evaluate the possible devastating impact on aviculture and on the Portuguese wild avifauna.

O relatório desenvolvido baseia-se nos quatro meses e meio do estágio curricular realizado no Centro Veterinário de Exóticos do Porto, em clínica e cirurgia de animais exóticos. Este, teve início a 12 de setembro de 2016 e terminou a 31 de Janeiro de 2017, tendo-se realizado sob a orientação do Professor Doutor Luís Miguel Lourenço Martins e do Dr. Joel Tsou Ferraz, diretor clínico do Centro. O presente relatório encontra-se essencialmente dividido em duas partes; na primeira são descritas as atividades acompanhadas pelo autor no Centro e relacionadas estatisticamente. Na segunda é realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema “Doença da dilatação do proventrículo em psitacídeos”; Abstract: The veterinary practice of exotic pets This report is based on the four and a half months of curricular internship at Centro Veterinário de Exóticos do Porto, in clinics and surgery of exotic animals. The internship began on September 12, 2016 and ended on 31 January 2017, having been held under the guidance of Professor Luis Miguel Lourenço Martins and Dr. Joel Tsou Ferraz, as clinical director of the Center. This report is essentially divided in two parts; the first describes the activities accompanied by the author at the Center, which is statistically reported; the second is a monographic approach of the matter “Proventricular dilatation disease in psittacines”

Les caracteristiques physico-chimiques de differentes sources de carbonate de calcium ont ete determinees puis leurs efficacites biologiques ont ete evaluees. Chez la poule pondeuse, l'apport de calcium sous la forme de particules grossieres ameliore la mineralisation oseuse et tend a favoriser la solidite de la coquille. Chez la poule reproductrice naine, le poids d'ufs, le poids du poussin d'un jour et sa mineralisation osseuse sont ameliores par l'incorporation de coquilles marines en morceaux. Chez le poulet de chair, l'emploi de carbonate de calcium broyee augmente le gain de poids, l'indice de consommation, la retention calcique et la mineralisation du tibia comparativement a celui d'une source grossiere. La solubilisation et l'utilisation digestive de ces sources de calcium ont ete evaluees lors de perturbations pharmacologiques de la secretion acide du proventricule. Celle-ci est plus fortement diminuee par un inhibiteur de la h#+, k#+ atpase, l'omeprazole, que par des antagonistes des recepteurs h#2 de l'histamine. Cette observation demontre chez l'oiseau le role primordial de cette enzyme h#+, k#+ atpase, dont la presence a ete verifiee par un dosage de son activite in vitro. Celle-ci est plus importante chez le poulet et la poulette que chez la poule. Elle n'est pas modifiee par l'augmentation du taux de calcium de l'aliment ou la maturite sexuelle. Par contre, une granulometrie grossiere du calcium eleve l'activite enzymatique. L'inhibition de la secretion acide augmente la part de calcium total insoluble du gesier et diminue les concentrations de calcium soluble et du calcium ionique du gesier et du duodenum. Ces reductions sont plus sensibles chez la poulette et la poule que chez le poulet. La suppression temporaire de la secretion acide n'a pas d'influence sur la retention calcique et la mineralisation de l'os chez le poulet. Par contre, chez la poule pondeuse cette inhibition diminue la retention calcique et provoque une nette reduction de la qualite de la coquille. L'utilisation d'une source particulaire de calcium augmente le calcium soluble du gesier et du duodenum chez la poule mais diminue celui-ci chez le poulet.